"Whoever has loved knows all that life contains of sorrow and joy." -George Sand French Wit and Wisdom
Two years after Blu Cantrell burst through the gate as one of the great new voices of contemporary urban R&B following the release of her scorching debut, 2001's So Blu, the striking vocal powerhouse has returned with a hot new look and an even hotter new album, the aptly-titled Bittersweet. "My new album is another chapter of my life; I'm getting a little further from the pain and closer to real love," says Cantrell, whose first disc was written and recorded in the wake of an unhealthy relationship that left the singer-songwriter devastated and suffering from a severe bout of depression. "That's why I titled it Bittersweet," she continues, "because I'm still bitter about some past relationships, but I've also experienced the sweetness of love."
Indeed, Bittersweet is one part tear-stained diary and one part survival guide for matters of the heart. "Singing about relationships is almost like therapy for me," says Cantrell, 27. "It helps me stay focused and not allow outside influences to make me lose sight of what I'm trying to do." And no matter whether Cantrell's sharing a personal tale of heartbreak ("Sleep in the Middle") or relishing the joy of love ("Happily Ever After"), she does it all with no-nonsense flair and poise. Take, for instance, Bittersweet's lead single, "Breathe," in which Cantrell affirms that rather than fanning the flames of a troublesome relationship it's often best to simply evacuate and let time extinguish the pain. "That song is a snapshot of a recent relationship," she confesses. "Sometimes you just have to step back and give each other space."
Produced by a top-notch ensemble of in-demand hitmakers, including Tricky Stewart, Shep Crawford, Mike City, Soulshock & Karlin, and Ivan Matias, Bittersweet's infectious grooves, jams, ballads and club bangers not only support, but also enhance and illuminate both Cantrell's voice and her lyrics.